84-Year-Old Veteran Passed Away In A Nursing Home That Neglected His Need For A Simple Bath

Quite a high number of elderly people are dropped off in nursing homes that provide them with inadequate care and attention. Sadly, some of these seniors lose their lives because of issues that could have been quickly and easily resolved.

Research carried out by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) showed that between 2013 and 2017, in Florida, 43 cases were reported where 54 nursing home residents died due to negligence and/or medical error.

Spratling's tragic story

US Army veteran York Spartling was an 84-year old man whose medical needs were ignored by a nursing home in Florida and, shortly after, he died. He was diagnosed with diabetes, and his health condition was getting worse by the day. His family soon realized he couldn't live pn his own and, in 2016, they decided to check him into the Consulate Health Centre.

However, in February 2017, he was rushed to the emergency room as his genitals had become gangrenous, a condition caused by dead tissue forming due to lack of blood flow. Shortly after an emergency procedure, York passed away.

According to Naples News, when investigators looked into the case, his family alleged that York hadn't been bathed in a long time. However, the staff at the health center claimed that York refused to take a bath.

After a long and thorough investigation, it was concluded by the state investigators that York died due to inadequate supervision and medical neglect.

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Sadly, no action has been taken against the nursing home by The Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA), and it is not yet clear whether his family will take up legal action themselves.

Preventing elderly abuse

As elders are not usually able to care for themselves, they are typically susceptible to abuse. Here is how you can prevent your elderly family members or friends from being victims of abuse:

Always check up on them;

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Do not leave them with people you don’t know or people that have a history of abuse or a bad temper;

Keep them engaged in a church or volunteer activities so that they can stay active;

Do not isolate them. Educate them to be wary of solicitations from the internet or phones.

It's sad that York's family had to lose him this way. Elderly abuse is a prevalent menace in our society, and we have a role to play in putting an end to it. Seniors might not have the strength to take care of themselves; however, they shouldn't end up as victims of abuse.